St Ignatius Parish

Mary MacKillop's Excommunication

When Mary MacKillop was excommunicated on the 22nd
September 1871, she and 47 sisters also expelled from the Sisters of St Joseph,
were forced to find accommodation and employment where-ever they could.

During this time Mary dressed incognito. She had been
ordered not to communicate with any of the sisters and anyone associating with
her was liable to excommunication. Priests too were threatened with suspension
if they supported any of the sisters, however a few of them remained loyal
friends. Most notable among them were Jesuits Frs Hinterocker and Tappeiner from
Norwood.

Mary found accommodation with friends at various locations
including Flinders St City, Walkerville and George St, Norwood. For a time she
and some sisters rented rooms on the corner of Queen and William Streets, at the
rear of the shop diagonally opposite St Ignatius Church at Norwood. While there
the Jesuits encouraged and supported Mary and allowed her to pray and receive
the sacraments because they believed her sentence was invalid and unjust.

After five months, when Bishop Sheil lay dying, he realised
his mistake and revoked the excommunication.

The Josephites were reinstated in their habits during a
ceremony, which took place in St Ignatius Church Norwood on Tuesday 19 March
1872. It seemed fitting that this date was chosen as it was on the feast of St
Joseph 1866 when the Sisters of St Joseph officially began at Penola.

Twenty-four sisters, including Mary MacKillop, resumed
their habits. As well, four postulants received theirs for the first time.
During subsequent weeks further reinstatements brought to at least thirty-five
the number of sisters who had renewed their allegiance to the Institute.

The following article was reported in The
Irish Harp - March, 1872

Feast of S. Joseph

.
- Tuesday March 19 being the Feast of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin
Mary and Patron of the Universal Church, was celebrated with becoming
solemnity at the church of S. Ignatius, Norwood. At 8 o'clock a "Missa
Cantata" was celebrated by the Rev. J. N. Hinterocker, S.J., after which
the rev. gentleman ascended the pulpit and preached an eloquent and impressive
sermon on the gospel for the day. The perplexity of S. Joseph when he
discovered the pregnancy of his spouse was referred to as an indication that
those who follow S. Joseph must, like him, endure trials and tribulations, and
that the way to heaven was the way of the Cross. In the evening the Second
Vespers of Joseph were sung at 7 o'clock, after which a beautiful and touching
discourse was delivered by F. Hinterocker on the flight of S. Joseph into
Egypt. The rev. father dwelt at some length on the obedience, humility, and
firm faith of St. Joseph in not being scandalised at the apparent inability of
the child Jesus, although the eternal Son of' God, to save himself from the
sword of Herod. His example should be followed by all who aspired to follow
the counsels of perfection, and he especially inculcated this duty upon the
members of the little community who some time ago had dedicated themselves to
the service of God under the title and patronage of S. Joseph. The trials and
persecutions they had undergone since the last celebration of the festival of
St. Joseph in that church ought to prove stepping stones to them on their way
to heaven. They ought henceforth to look upon sufferings as blessings, sent by
God to try their faith, and purge them From whatever imperfections might mar
their usefulness in the vocation which they had adopted. At the close of the
sermon the rev. father announced that after the service those of the Sisters
of S. Joseph who were dishabited a few months ago would again take the habit
of religion at the hands of their spiritual director, the Rev. Jos. Tappeiner.
Accordingly after Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament eleven of the
dishabited sisters presented themselves within the altar rails and having
renewed their vows were reinvested with the habit of religion. The scene was a
touching and impressive one, and brought tears to the eyes of many of those
present who remembered the last celebration of the feast of S. Joseph, and the
vicissitudes which the community had undergone since that time.